DL needs

[BigStar]

But if that guy isn't there at 16 or even a little later in the first round as part of a trade down, then he isn't there.

Right now there are hardly any that deserve a 1st round grade (as pure 4-3 WDE) after Clowney and Barr.

And if you reach, you're falling behind other teams by picking inferior talent.

There are guys like Larry Webster who offer some intriguing possibilities as a WDE later on in the draft. If the Cowboys get locked in this "I gotta have a 4-3 WDE in the first round" mode, then we can all relive a "Shante Carver" moment, because that's what happens when you reach.

Agree with ya Mike about "forcing" the issue. Donald would be ideal but likely gone. You thinking Martin or even Pryor?

 

[skinsscalper]

I don't think Ford is big enough to be a full-time 4-3 DE. And if you're spending a first on the guy, he should be a potential 60 snap a game player– if need be. And the point about the Cowboys not having a visit with him is telling.

I could be wrong but the Cowboys didn't have any pre-draft visits with Claiborne or Bryant either, did they?

 

[SilverStarCowboy]

Take Ealy over Ford @ 16 .... Lawrence, Hageman and Tuitt as well, (not to mention Donald and Barr) they all present better match ups better as a 3 down Player, especially in a 4/3 Defensive Scheme.

 

[Kaiser]

I agree. I think Aaron Donald is the best talent who might be available at #16, so I'd take him if he is available, but I think we can get by with the DTs we have. It all depends on what we do with Crawford and Bass. I've heard people say they might both be SDEs. I view McClain more as a backup 3-tech. We need a new DT but we need DEs way more. The only DE we have is Selvie (and Mincey if you want to count him). We need two WDEs and another SDE.

Totally agree. I do think Donald is the best bet right now and he is the pick they shift Bass to a backup spot at the 1 tech. Two DE's are needed but if they don't take Donald I think they still take a DT sometime in the 3rd or later.

 

[Bigdog]

I agree with you. I would love to get Donald but if he is not there and Barr is, I hope the Cowboys will be running to the podium. As a former GM said, if they are productive in high school, then in college, chances are they will be in the pros. Barr had I think 23 sacks in the past two years. That is extremely productive. Also the Cowboys could get Easily later on if his knee checks out, but getting Crichton and Barr would be great. Pick up Carum Reid from Princeton and that is a pretty good draft.

 

[CyberB0b]

Whats really the biggest need on this team? DL we all know this, but IMO its not DT

Henry Melton
Tyrone Crawford
Terrell McClain
Ben Bass
Nick Hayden

I have always added Crawford as a DT this whole offseason because basically Marinelli has said Crawford can play any posistion on the DL but he see's him at his best probably as a 1tech. He's just so versatile.

Crawford isnt a passrushing DE because basically he's not good enough to go around NFL tackles. Thats why he was drafted as a 5tech. A strong side DE to play in the 3-4. Who's primary goal is to hold ground vs the run. Take up space. He does that very well. But he can get you pressure inside aswell. Now its not going to be alot of sacks but he will be disruptive.

Then there is McClain, and word is Marinelli really likes him because you cant move him. And theres Bass who had coaches and players talking about how good he can be. He showed alot last yr but now he;'s coming off an injury. So IMO i think Dallas starting 1tech is already on the team, Crawford, McCain or Bass.

Melton is the peice this team hopes that puts the inside together. The one that can fill Hatchers shoes.

BUT...

The real problem is on the edge. This defense will work only if the edge is fixed. Ware is gone and Selvie had 2 sacks in the final 9 games. While i think he can be useful but only as a situation guy. Mincey IMO is a very good backup but nothing more.

My dream scenario would be this

RD1
Titans pass on Barr and go after theyre other top need and thats CB. Pick up one of the top CBs which most likely atleast 1 will be available.

Draft Anthony Barr at 16

RD2
Draft Scott Crichton

Pick up your new starting WDE in RD1 and your SDE in RD2

It doesnt always work out the best case scenario but here are some guy id like for the Cowboys to look at in the first 3 rds. I do beieve this team needs 2 DEs

RD1
Anthony Barr
Kony Ealy
Demarcus Lawrence

RD2
Scott Crichton
Kareem Martin

RD3
Trent Murphy
Marcus Smith
Jackson Jeffcoat

IMO two of these guys need to be drafted by Dallas.

So we are set at DT with Melton coming off an ACL injury, a guy coming off an Achilles tear who missed his entire second season and a few journeymen? Seems short sided to me. Kind of how we thought we were all set last year at dl.

 

[LatinMind]

I could be wrong but the Cowboys didn't have any pre-draft visits with Claiborne or Bryant either, did they?

nobody expected them to be available to dallas

 

[MichaelWinicki]

I could be wrong but the Cowboys didn't have any pre-draft visits with Claiborne or Bryant either, did they?

I doubt they thought they had a shot at Claiborne.

Bryant is probably similar.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Take Ealy over Ford @ 16 .... Lawrence, Hageman and Tuitt as well, (not to mention Donald and Barr) they all present better match ups better as a 3 down Player, especially in a 4/3 Defensive Scheme.

Only two would represent good value at 16... Donald & Barr.

If they took any of the others it would be a reach and for a couple a good reach.

That's not a good way to draft.

 

[Sandyf]

If Donald is there at #16, I don't think there is any doubt that he would be the pick. I do think we could trade up for him although it appears to be unlikely at least two weeks prior to the draft. I feel alot less certain about Barr being at #16. If Houston trades down with Atlanta and that appears more and more likely, then Clowney goes Atlanta at #1 and Mack most likely goes to Jags at #3. Some think Houston goes QB but just not sold on that when the defense appears to need an 3-4 OLB just as much and Barr fits that build perfectly.

Most would disagree but it truly wouldn't surprise me to see no QBs taken in the top 10. They all have good possiblities but none of them would be predicted to be starting QB in 2014. As to Donald, I could easily make a case that he is taken in the top ten. Could easily see Clowney, Mack, Barr, Donald, Matthews, Robinson, Watkins, Evans, Ebron, Mosley, Dennard and even Lewan all going before a QB.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Agree with ya Mike about "forcing" the issue. Donald would be ideal but likely gone. You thinking Martin or even Pryor?

Not at 16. I don't see the Cowboys considering a safety in round 1. I think if they stay at 16 they grab the best player they can except for a couple of positions.

 

[Zimmy Lives]

Only two would represent good value at 16... Donald & Barr.

If they took any of the others it would be a reach and for a couple a good reach.

That's not a good way to draft.

I agree about Donald and Barr; they represent the best value from a defensive perspective. However, several posters have sold me on the idea of Zack Martin and his potential as a guard or tackle. He would be a close value to Donald and Barr from an offensive perspective.

I still want a lineman at 16….

 

[Zimmy Lives]

Not at 16. I don't see the Cowboys considering a safety in round 1. I think if they stay at 16 they grab the best player they can except for a couple of positions.

I agree. I don't believe any of the 1st-round rated safeties would have an impact right away as much as a DT/DE, O-lineman, or LB.

 

[TellerMorrow34]

Biggest need is a big time, scary, pass rusher who gets after the QB and forces the other team to be worried about them at all times. Thus helping the rest of this D-Line.

 

[Alexander]

I could be wrong but the Cowboys didn't have any pre-draft visits with Claiborne or Bryant either, did they?

This is a little different. I think they honestly want to have Marinelli interact with his potential "rushmen". He needs time to get their new Marinelli names straight.

 

[Alexander]

I agree about Donald and Barr; they represent the best value from a defensive perspective. However, several posters have sold me on the idea of Zack Martin and his potential as a guard or tackle. He would be a close value to Donald and Barr from an offensive perspective.

I still want a lineman at 16….

A future starting right tackle to replace Free and a quality starting guard in the meantime is not bad value.

 

[Zimmy Lives]

A future starting right tackle to replace Free and a quality starting guard in the meantime is not bad value.

Totally agree. I would be very pleased if Martin was the pick but only if Barr and Donald are already gone.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Biggest need is a big time, scary, pass rusher who gets after the QB and forces the other team to be worried about them at all times. Thus helping the rest of this D-Line.

Melton can be that guy at DT.

But regardless, you can't lose perspective on trying to find "That guy" in one draft... It simply may not happen.

Plus the sack leader on the Seahawks had 8.5 sacks.

It's not necessary to have that one guy get 15.

 

[Alexander]

Totally agree. I would be very pleased if Martin was the pick but only if Barr and Donald are already gone.

Donald is already getting raves from evaluators as a top 10, best since Randle etc. It is pretty clear that dream needs to just go away. Barr is far more likely to be available, but he also is less of sure thing and would need a lot of work. I saw a writer compare Barr to Barkevious Mingo and he believes that is how he would come into the NFL as a situational rusher. I am not sure Mingo gave Cleveland great value since he did not replace Sheard either. Same for Jordan down in Miami.

 

[Doomsday101]

Donald is already getting raves from evaluators as a top 10, best since Randle etc. It is pretty clear that dream needs to just go away. Barr is far more likely to be available, but he also is less of sure thing and would need a lot of work. I saw a writer compare Barr to Barkevious Mingo and he believes that is how he would come into the NFL as a situational rusher. I am not sure Mingo gave Cleveland great value since he did not replace Sheard either. Same for Jordan down in Miami.

That would be my concern with Barr having a player who is more of a situational player than an all around player at least when talking 1st rd pick.